Most would agree on new contracts for Kampmann, Cole, Jenkins, Fisher, Henderson. Walker and Peterson tendered. I think tagging Longwell best decision on him. The rest IMO are minimum deal type guys if signed.

With some additional 2006 money available, I would like to focus on guys in the last year of contract next season to see what you think of extending them before 07. Here is my list in the order of current salary:

Diggs No likey cap casualty unless smaller contract negotiated. CBA treats good players this way.
Klemm No too expensive at backup Tackle. An OT drafted in 05 for Clifton/Tauscher future replacement.
Thomas Wait wait until end of 06 to determine if more years are warranted.
Martin No he has to earn a roster spot in 06 let alone beyond.
Lee Yes good receiving TE can most likely be signed cheaply this offseason.
Leach Wait Henderson is still very good but true successor will be drafted in 06 or 07.
Wells Yes young versatile lineman. He can be signed this offseason cheaper than in the future.
White Wait he has not been active and 06 will show his developement and decision made before 07.
Walt Williams he too has to get healthy and make the team in 06 before 07 decision.
Gado is signed through 06 according to Press Gazette but I don't know how long.

I see 2 players in last year of that can be extended this offseason at low cost and I'm wondering about Thomas.

Here is the list I obtained from Pro Football Talk dot com:
It is not accurate as it does not list Collin Cole, Cullen Jenkins or Walker as a RFA for the Packers. So there may be more free agents available. It is the list I used for looking at the Kicker market for the Longwell thread. Unlike the position list posted this is by team. It can be helpful as the Raiders are 30 million over next year and will cut Kerry Collins, Warren Sapp, and CB Woodson to get close to cap limit.

The point of my original thought was not free agents but extension of current contracts of Wells and Lee(TE) who are under contract next year but can be signed for years cheaply.

Most would agree on new contracts for Kampmann, Cole, Jenkins, Fisher, Henderson. Walker and Peterson tendered. I think tagging Longwell best decision on him. The rest IMO are minimum deal type guys if signed.

With some additional 2006 money available, I would like to focus on guys in the last year of contract next season to see what you think of extending them before 07. Here is my list in the order of current salary:

Diggs No likey cap casualty unless smaller contract negotiated. CBA treats good players this way.
Klemm No too expensive at backup Tackle. An OT drafted in 05 for Clifton/Tauscher future replacement.
Thomas Wait wait until end of 06 to determine if more years are warranted.
Martin No he has to earn a roster spot in 06 let alone beyond.
Lee Yes good receiving TE can most likely be signed cheaply this offseason.
Leach Wait Henderson is still very good but true successor will be drafted in 06 or 07.
Wells Yes young versatile lineman. He can be signed this offseason cheaper than in the future.
White Wait he has not been active and 06 will show his developement and decision made before 07.
Walt Williams he too has to get healthy and make the team in 06 before 07 decision.
Gado is signed through 06 according to Press Gazette but I don't know how long.

I see 2 players in last year of that can be extended this offseason at low cost and I'm wondering about Thomas.

DE Aaron Kampman -- should be a priority signing.
K Ryan Longwell -- priority signing #2
C Mike Flanagan -- father time and salary considerations has probably run the clock out on his Packer days.
FB William Henderon -- see above
G Grey Ruegamer -- certainly worth bringing back at a Vet's minimum
OT Kevin Barry -- if he will come back for backup pay.
QB Craig Nall -- I don't see him back, unless of course Favre retires and they promise him an op to compete head to head with Mr. Rodgers. Not likely
RB Tony Fisher -- another signing at a league minimum
DT Grady Jackson, has said he is gone. If he returns it will be for a minimal contract and require swallowing his pride
LB Paris Lenon -- time to go, but may be given a make good contract.
LS Rob Davis -- Age says he should be replaced, but is rock solid at what he does.
RB Najeh Davenport -- may be desperate and sign at a bargin price
RB Ahman Green -- only on a short term incentive heavy contract
S Earl Little -- cut, already gone.

As to the rest on your list:
Diggs -- must sign a cap friendly contract to come back -- which he may be inclined to do
Klemm -- too early to tell, he will probably be given an opportunity to compete NOTE: the Pack has only 5 picks in 2005, I doubt one will be spent upon a OT
Thomas -- Of couse you wait. There is no urgency to do anything here
Martin -- See above, but he will be back
Lee -- Yes good receiving TE can most likely be signed cheaply this offseason.
Leach -- No need to do anything. His play has been very disappointing.
Wells -- Yes young versatile lineman. He can be signed this offseason cheaper than in the future.
White -- Why would any one do anything for quite a while???
Walt Williams -- will likely not have a shot at making the team in 06, was only brought back because of devastation at RB position when top 3 HBs went down.

Bruce,
1) Henderson is still good and his cap figure has not been large. Any FB brought in will compete with Leach for "FB of the future."

2) they tried with Houghton, Bedell, and Curtain. Clifton and Tauscher will not be around forever and a higher pick new guy needs to be developed. The lesson from the Guard situation this year should be learned. Klemm is backup in 06 but quality is needed soon.

3) I thought I said that White can wait until 07.

4) I hate to see all the time invested in Nall thrown away. A trade to the Jets or Ravens even for a conditional pick would have gotten something. Water under the bridge now.

5) I am not worried about the draft because an argument can be made for drafting almost any position. Ted's getting value approach is suited this year. I have confidence in Ted Thompson in free agency.

Ron dayne at RB...I wish the packers would pick up more badgers besides Offensive lineman. (chris chambers instead of ferguson...need i say more)

That or Chestor Taylor

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I know I'm going to get drug through the mud for this one but keep in mind I live in ND and have no allegiance to the Badgers. I am a Packer fan and that is my only bond with Wisconsin. Anyway, to my point...if every team in the NFC North did what you speak of, the Lions would kick some a$$ every year with all of the Michigan Wolverines and Spartans on their squad. Just thought I would throw that in there. :wink: I split my college allegiance between the Michigan Wolverines and the Texas Longhorns...

Bruce,
1) Henderson is still good and his cap figure has not been large. Any FB brought in will compete with Leach for "FB of the future."

2) they tried with Houghton, Bedell, and Curtain. Clifton and Tauscher will not be around forever and a higher pick new guy needs to be developed. The lesson from the Guard situation this year should be learned. Klemm is backup in 06 but quality is needed soon.

3) I thought I said that White can wait until 07.

4) I hate to see all the time invested in Nall thrown away. A trade to the Jets or Ravens even for a conditional pick would have gotten something. Water under the bridge now.

5) I am not worried about the draft because an argument can be made for drafting almost any position. Ted's getting value approach is suited this year. I have confidence in Ted Thompson in free agency.

As usual Bruce we agree on about 85% of things.

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Yes, we do often agree on at least that much.

1.) I love henderson and don't say he is done, but logic seems to imply that Thompson is going to want to move on because of salary and age -- I hope you are right. I have argued with net every season that Henderson would and should be back, call it intuitive, but I think this may be it. Leach has been a disappointment though.

2.) Klemm could be a good LT, Barry is not a bad RT and the Guard situation needs to be resolved. When you have the picks drafting another T makes sense, but with then number of needs I don't see it as a high enough priority.

3.) You probably did.

4.) Me too, but you are right about it probably being water under the bridge ...

5.) I want to share your confidence in T.T., but he has done little in FA to invoke great confidence or lack of either. He has done little in that arena and seems to have a very conservative approach. I am withholding judgement until I see more.

C Mike Flanagan: He has been very good in his year with Green Bay but it's time for him to go.
FB William Henderon: I say if he is willing to stick it out for a couple more years re-sign him.
G Grey Ruegamer: A very versatile o-lineman, maybe a 2 year deal
OT Kevin Barry: Im gonna say let him go because he wants to start, but with Tauscher starting he will never be able to.
QB Craig Nall: I say re-sign him, if Brett does retire Rodgers will need a veteran back up, you dont just invest so much time in this guy and let him go.
RB Tony Fisher: Resign
DE Aaron Kampman: Resign
DT Grady Jackson: Let go, he wants a big contract but hes too old.
DE Kenny Peterson (RFA): pending
LB Paris Lenon: Let go, with so many good Linebackers coming out of college we dont need Lenon, we could get a very capable back up out of the draft
K Ryan Longwell: Re-sign
LS Rob Davis: Re-sign
RB Najeh Davenport: let go
RB Ahman Green: give him a one year deal, if he can perform at the same level he used to be at then give him his contract.
S Earl Little: hes already gone
DT Colin Cole: Re-sign, this kids got a future
DT Cullen Jenkins: Re-sign, he also has a future with Green Bay

I think we should try playing him at the other side and move KGB, pending he stays....

Bruce said:

K Ryan Longwell -- priority signing #2

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Force him to stay, or let him walk.... Use FA to replace, or Draft....

Bruce said:

C Mike Flanagan -- father time and salary considerations has probably run the clock out on his Packer days.
FB William Henderon -- see above
G Grey Ruegamer -- certainly worth bringing back at a Vet's minimum
OT Kevin Barry -- if he will come back for backup pay.
QB Craig Nall -- I don't see him back, unless of course Favre retires and they promise him an op to compete head to head with Mr. Rodgers. Not likely
RB Tony Fisher -- another signing at a league minimum
DT Grady Jackson, has said he is gone. If he returns it will be for a minimal contract and require swallowing his pride
LB Paris Lenon -- time to go, but may be given a make good contract.
LS Rob Davis -- Age says he should be replaced, but is rock solid at what he does.
RB Najeh Davenport -- may be desperate and sign at a bargin price
RB Ahman Green -- only on a short term incentive heavy contract
S Earl Little -- cut, already gone.

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Agree on all for the above - with exception - As I've said before, William Henderson retires the day Brett Favre retires, end of story!

Bruce said:

As to the rest on your list:
Diggs -- must sign a cap friendly contract to come back -- which he may be inclined to do
Klemm -- too early to tell, he will probably be given an opportunity to compete NOTE: the Pack has only 5 picks in 2005, I doubt one will be spent upon a OT

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I like Klemm - I hope he can get it together, otherwise.............

Bruce said:

Thomas -- Of couse you wait. There is no urgency to do anything here
Martin -- See above, but he will be back

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Martin is gone - I dont need to see him in green and gold any longer - like posted in other threads - we should see TT forcing Sherman to re-create the Tiger Set this year.... something our former TE Coach / now HC / has avoided for over four years....

Bruce said:

Lee -- Yes good receiving TE can most likely be signed cheaply this offseason.
Leach -- No need to do anything. His play has been very disappointing.
Wells -- Yes young versatile lineman. He can be signed this offseason cheaper than in the future.
White -- Why would any one do anything for quite a while???
Walt Williams -- will likely not have a shot at making the team in 06, was only brought back because of devastation at RB position when top 3 HBs went down.

Guys - I'm real tired of the fact that the Packers seemingly cannot (or won't?) catch the ball properly, or they instantly allow the opponents to cause fumbles... Review how many times you've watched Ferguson run his route with the expectation that the ball should come to him, INSTEAD of him going after the ball... AND, fighting for it, as well - which is required in the NFL.

This one issue - has cause us to lose the majority of games we've played this year.... this INFECTION needs to be erradicated. If that means new Coaching.. then so be it.